What kind of buns should I use?

I like to use hamburger buns , but I find that it's best to toast the insides first so the buns don't fall apart after adding the sloppy joes mixture. To do this, stick them on a sheet tray, insides up, under the broiler for a couple of minutes. Keep a close eye on them and pull them out when they are golden brown. You can also try brioche buns, whole wheat buns, or even slider buns for smaller portions.

What are some creative toppings I can add to my sloppy joes?

While this classic sandwich is delicious on it's own, you might try adding toppings like sliced cheese, pickles, coleslaw , sliced jalapeños, or crispy onion strings for extra flavor and texture.

How can I make sloppy joes healthier?

Try using a leaner meat like ground chicken or ground turkey. Add in finely diced or grated vegetables to the meat mixture, like mushrooms, bell peppers, carrot, celery, and onion. Be sure to saute them to make sure they are soft. Lastly, serve your sloppy joes on whole wheat hamburgers buns or air fryer baked potatoes .

What should I do if I get a burn notice?

Sometimes a tomato-y sauce like this one can cause the Instant Pot to give a "burn notice". If this happens, open up the lid and stir in 1/4 cup beef or chicken broth to the mixture. Lock and seal the lid and try again.

The BEST Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

Name: Instant Pot Sloppy Joes
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 teaspoons avocado oil or olive oil, divided; 1 pound lean ground beef (sub: ground turkey or ground chicken); 2 teaspoons all-natural steak seasoning (recommend: Weber Montana Steak Seasoning); 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup, divided (sub: brown sugar or coconut sugar); 1/2 medium onion, finely chopped; 1 medium carrot, finely chopped or finely shredded; 1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar; 1 tablespoon all-natural Worcestershire sauce (recommend: Lea Perrin’s brand); 2 (8-ounce) cans unsalted tomato sauce; 2 tablespoons tomato paste; Salt and ground black pepper; 4 whole wheat hamburger buns, toasted (see Cooking Notes); Optional: 4 slices cheddar cheese

Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!

★★★★★ 5 from 1 review

Instant Pot Sloppy Joes

In just minutes, this vegetable-infused, tangy-sweet meat mixture comes together into something the whole family will enjoy. Make Instant Pot Sloppy Joes ahead of time for a simple drop-and-go meal for busy nights.

Yield: 4 large sandwiches 1x

Prep: 5 minutesCook: 20 minutes (+ 5 minutes come to pressure time)Total: 30 minutes

Units:

Scale:

Ingredients

3 teaspoons avocado oil or olive oil, divided
1 pound lean ground beef (sub: ground turkey or ground chicken)
2 teaspoons all-natural steak seasoning (recommend: Weber Montana Steak Seasoning)
3 tablespoons pure maple syrup, divided (sub: brown sugar or coconut sugar)
1/2 medium onion, finely chopped
1 medium carrot, finely chopped or finely shredded
1/2 red bell pepper, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon all-natural Worcestershire sauce (recommend: Lea Perrin’s brand)
2 (8-ounce) cans unsalted tomato sauce
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Salt and ground black pepper
4 whole wheat hamburger buns, toasted (see Cooking Notes)
Optional: 4 slices cheddar cheese

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.

Instructions

Make It Now:

Brown the Beef: Set the Instant Pot to “Sauté.” Add 1 teaspoon of the oil into the pot and heat until shimmery. Add the ground beef and cook, breaking up the meat as it cooks, for 2 minutes. Add the steak seasoning and 1 tablespoon of the maple syrup and stir to combine with the meat. Cook until the beef is no longer pink, 6-8 minutes more. Transfer the beef to a paper towel-lined plate and wipe out the pot.
Saute the Veggies: Pour the remaining 2 teaspoons oil into the pot and heat until shimmery. Add the onion, carrot, and bell pepper. Cook until veggies are tender, about 3-4 minutes. Stir in the garlic, vinegar, and Worcestershire during the last 30-60 seconds of cook time. Press “Cancel.”
Pressure Cook the Mixture: Return the beef to the pot and add the tomato sauce, tomato paste, and remaining 2 tablespoons maple syrup. Stir to combine. Lock and seal the lid. Cook at high pressure for 5 minutes, then quick release the pressure. Taste and season with salt and pepper. (This is a good time to toast the buns. See Cooking Notes.)
Serve: There will be a lot of liquid in the mixture, so use a large slotted spoon to scoop it onto the toasted bun bottoms. Top each with a slice of cheese, if desired, and cover with the tops of the buns.

Freeze For Later: Follow Step 1-3. Let the meat mixture fully cool, then freeze in a freezer bag or container. Freeze along with the buns and cheese slices to create a meal kit.

Prepare From Frozen: Thaw the meal kit. Rewarm the meat mixture in the Instant Pot on the Low slow cooker setting or in the microwave, stirring occasionally.

Notes/Tips

To toast the hamburger buns: Place them on a sheet pan with the insides facing up. Preheat the oven’s broiler to high and broil them on the top rack for about a minute or until golden brown. Watch closely so they don’t burn!
Stovetop Instructions: You can make this quickly on the stovetop using our Homemade Sloppy Joes recipe.
Ground Beef Sub: You can substitute ground turkey or ground chicken for the ground beef, if desired.
Substitute for steak seasoning: Use 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon onion powder, 1/8 teaspoon paprika, and a pinch of red pepper flakes.
Gluten-free version: Use gluten-free buns or serve over baked potatoes (perhaps as part of a Baked Potato Bar). Also, be sure to select a gluten-free Worcestershire sauce, like Lea Perrin’s brand.
Dairy-free version: Omit the optional cheese slice.
Can I double this recipe? Yes, we have tested doubling this recipe in the Instant Pot, and it works to do so at this same cook time. (It will take a little longer to brown the meat and saute the veggies, though.)
What to Do If You Get a Burn Notice: Stir in 1/4 cup beef or chicken broth to the mixture and try again.

Cuisine: American Method: Instant Pot

Find it online: https://thrivinghomeblog.com/instant-pot-sloppy-joes/